Handle for rotary hand tool

ABSTRACT

A handle for a rotary hand tool of the reversible ratchet type includes a ratchet mechanism, an elongated generally cylindrical shell mounting the ratchet mechanism adjacent the forward end thereof and having a pair of outwardly projecting retaining lugs, a cylindrical sleeve mounted on the shell to enclose the ratchet mechanism and extend longitudinally along the shell beyond the retaining lugs, said sleeve having an elongated axially extending slot and a pair of side apertures on opposite sides of the slot for receiving the lugs and locking the sleeve on the shell; and a hand grip mounted by an interference fit on the rearward end of the shell, said hand grip having a tubular extension forming a hoop circumscribing the sleeve and preventing expansion of the sleeve along the slot and removal of the lugs from the apertures.

[ 1 Oct. 29, 1974 1541 HANDLE FOR ROTARY HAND TOOL [75] Inventor: Carl Christian Stoutenberg, Avon,

Conn.

[73] Assignee: The Stanley Works, New Britain,

Conn.

22 Filed: Sept. 24, 1973 21 Appl.No.:400,339

[52] US. Cl 145/75, 81/58.3, 145/50 R, 145/53, 145/54, 403/316 [51] Int. Cl... B25g l/06, B25b 15/04, B25b 13/46 [58] Field of Search 145/50 R, 75-77, 145/61 C, 61 J, 61 B, 61 A, 53,54, 70-74;

81/58.3, 58.4; 403/11, 316-319; 285/DlG.

Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Marc R. Davidson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Prutzman, Hayes, Kalb & Chilton [57] ABSTRACT A handle for a rotary hand tool of the reversible ratchet type includes a ratchet mechanism, an elongated generally cylindrical shell mounting the ratchet mechanism adjacent the forward end thereof and having a pair of outwardly projecting retaining lugs, a cylindrical sleeve mounted on the shell to enclose the ratchet mechanism and extend longitudinally along the shell beyond the retaining lugs, said sleeve having an elongated axially extending slot and a pair of side apertures on opposite sides of the slot for receiving the lugs and locking the sleeve on the shell; and a hand grip mounted by an interference fit on the rearward end of the shell, said hand grip having a tubular extension forming a hoop circumscribing the sleeve and preventing expansion of the sleeve along the slot and removal of the lugs from the apertures.

HANDLE FOR ROTARY HAND TOOL BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to rotary hand tools of the reversible ratchet type such as ratchet screwdrivers and the like. More particularly it is concerned with a new and improved handle construction for such rotary hand tools.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handle construction for a rotary hand tool of the ratchet type that can be easily and rapidly assembled and the component parts thereof rapidly interlocked without the need for intermediate fasteners.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handle of the type described that is of simplified design and can be constructed from durable, long lasting yet economical material. Included in I this object is the provision for an interlock among the components of the handle that is immediately operative upon assembly of the components.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a handle for a rotary hand tool of the reversible ratchet type that permits full concealment of the ratchet mechanism within a durable plastic envelope enclosure while at the same time taking advantage of the durability and strength associated with a metal inner shell used to house the ratchet mechanism.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a handle design for a ratchet type rotary hand tool that accomplishes all of the foregoing while achieving economies of manufacture and assembly without sacrificing durability or substantially reducing the useful life thereof.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in more detail hereinafter.

These and related objects are accomplished in accordance with the present invention by providing a handle for a rotary hand tool of the reversible ratchet type that includes a ratchet mechanism, an elongated generally cylindrical shell mounting the ratchet mechanism adjacent one end thereof and having an outwardly projecting retaining lug, a cylindrical sleeve mounted on the shell to enclose the ratchet mechanism and extend longitudinally along the shell beyond the retaining lug and a hand grip securely mounted on the shell and covering a portion of the sleeve. The sleeve is provided with an elongated axially extending slot facilitating mounting on the shell and a side aperture in the slot for receiving the retaining lug and locking the sleeve on the shell. The hand grip also is mounted on the shell by an interference fit and is provided with a tubular extension that forms a hoop circumscribing the sleeve and preventing expansion of the sleeve along the slot and release of the interconnection between the lug and the aperture.

A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relations of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawing which set forth an illustrative embodiment and are indicative of the way in which the principles of the invention are employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged fragmented side view, partially broken away and partially in section. of a spiral ratchet screwdriver embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of the screw-driver handle of FIG. 1 with the hand grip removed for ease of illustration and clarity of understanding; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing in greater detail wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the invention is illustrated as embodied within a spiral ratchet screwdriver designated generally by the numeral 10. The screwdriver 10 is comprised of a handle 12 operatively mounting a drive spindle l4 and a tool bit 16 mounted on the spindle 14 by means of a chuck 18. The handle 12 includes a generally cylindrical tubular metal shell 20 having a cylindrical passageway 22 extending axially therethrough for receivingthe spindle l4 and permitting axial and rotational movement relative thereto. A

suitable ratchet mechanism 24 adapted to drivably cooperate with the spindle 14 is mounted within an enlarged cavity 26 adjacent the forward end of the shell, the ratchet mechanism 24 being controlled by a thumb actuated ratchet control lever 28 axially slidable above the cavity 26 between forward, rearward and intermediate positions for controlling the operation of the mechanism 24. The shell 20 is further provided with an upstanding peripheral flange 30 that encircles the shell midway between the enlarged cavity 26 and the rearward end 32 of the shell. The external surface 34 of the shell between the peripheral flange 30 and the rearward end 32 is of reduced diameter relative to the remainder of the shell and is provided with a plurality of radially spaced axially extending ribs 36.

The shell 20 is additionally provided with a pair of upstanding lugs 40 positioned midway between the peripheral flange 30 and the enlarged cavity 26, the lugs 40 being aligned and radially spaced to provide a small gap therebetween. Each lug 40 is provided with a rearwardly facing locking surface 42 disposed at substantially a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the shell and a front ramp-like cam surface 44 extending from the periphery of the shell in an inclined manner toward the locking surface 42.

A tubular generally cylindrical sleeve 50 is telescopically mounted over the forward end of the shell 20 and extends rearwardly along the shell for a sufficient distance so that the rearward edge 52 thereof substantially abuts the peripheral flange 30 on the shell. The sleeve 50 is provided with an elongated slot 54 extending from the rearward edge 52 axially along the sleeve to a point overlying the enlarged cavity 26 of the shell and the ratchet mechanism 24 located therein. As shown a portion of the ratchet operating lever 28 extends through the slot 54 and can be controlled for slideable movement therealong. The sleeve is slightly undercut on opposite sides of the slot to provide an internal longitudinally extending raceway 56 facilitating the mounting of the sleeve 50 over the lugs 40 while providing a guide for the lever 28 during its sliding movement between its various controlled positions for the ratchet mechanism.

The sleeve 50 is further provided with a pair of side apertures 58 communicating with the elongated slot 54 and positioned so as to be in registry with the upstanding lugs 40 on the shell 20 when the sleeve 50 is fully mounted thereon with its rearward edge 52 substantially in abutment with the peripheral flange 30. The sleeve is preferably made of a tough plastic material and during mounting on the shell will resiliently expand by a slight amount adjacent the slot 54. The raceway 56 will travel along the ramplike cam surfaces 44 of the lugs 40 and ride over the lugs until the apertures 58 are brought into full registry therewith and the sleeve snaps back to engage the rearwardly facing locking surfaces 42 of the lugs. As will be appreciated, the raceway 56 on the internal surface of the sleeve aids in the sleeves travel over the lugs 40 while additionally assuring proper alignment of the apertures 58 therewith.

As best shown in FIG. 1 the particular embodiment of the handle illustrated in the drawing additionally includes a hand grip portion 60 provided with a cylindrical tubular mounting cylinder 62 having an internal diameter of a size that will provide an interference fit with the ribs 36 surface 34 on the reduced diameter portion of the shell between the peripheral flange 30 and the rearward end 32 thereof. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the mounting cylinder 62 extends rearwardly to a point adjacent the butt end 64 of the handle and houses a return spring 66 for the spindle 14, the spring bearing against a terminal end wall 68 of the cylinder 62 and a suitable spring plug 70 fixedly connected to the rearward end of the spindle 14.

In accordance with the present invention, the handle grip 60 is further provided with a generally cylindrical forward extension 72 that slides over the slotted rear portion of the sleeve 50 in telescopic fashion until it abuts a rearwardly facing shoulder 74 on the exterior of the sleeve midway along its length. The-extension 72 forms a hoop fully circumscribing the sleeve and preventing the expansion thereof along slot 54 so as to maintain the interconnection between the locking lugs 40 on the shell and the aligned apertures 58 on the sleeve. As shown, the extension 72 also assists in limiting the travel of control lever 28 rearwardly along slot 54. The exterior surface 76 on the forward half of the sleeve 50 is provided with a slightly increasing taper so that at the shoulder 74 it cooperates with the extension 72 to provide the handle with a smooth neat appearance. A removable end cap 78 is mounted on the butt end of the hand grip 60 and can be threadably removed to provide access to a storage cavity 80 located therein.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing detailed description, the handle construction of the present invention provides for rapid and easy-assembly by simply slideably mounting the sleeve 50 over the shell 20 with the elongated slot 54 in the sleeve aligned with the ratchet control lever 28. As the sleeve reaches the upstanding lugs 40 on the shell the sleeve travels up the ramp-like cam surfaces 44 causing a slight expansion of the sleeve until the apertures 58 are brought into full registry with the lugs so that the sleeve may return to an unexpanded condition and cooperate with the locking surfaces 42 to prevent the separation of the sleeve from the shell. Thereafter the handle grip portion 60 is mounted over the rearward end of the shell and a force fit connection is established therebetween. As the force fit is being established the forward extension 72 of the hand grip circumscribably confines the interlocked sleeve and shell preventing re-expansion of the sleeve and removal thereof from the shell. Thus, no additional or ancillary part or fastener is required to provide a secure interconnection between all portions of the handle assembly. As will be appreciated, this simplified design is conducive to a high speed assembly operation.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the teaching of the present invention.

I claim:

1. In a handle for a rotary hand tool of the reversible ratchet type, the combination including a ratchet mechanism; an elongated generally cylindrical shell mounting said ratchet mechanism adjacent one end thereof and having an outwardly projecting retaining lug intermediate the ends thereof; a cylindrical sleeve mounted on said one end of said shell to enclose said mechanism and extending longitudinally along said shell beyond said retaining lug, said sleeve having an elongated axially extending slot and a side aperture adjacent said slot for receiving said lug and locking said sleeve on said shell; and a hand grip mounted by an interference fit on the end of said shell opposite said one end, said hand grip having a tubular extension forming a hoop circumscribing said sleeve and preventing expansion of said sleeve along said slot and removal of said lug from said aperture.

2. The handle of claim 1 wherein said lug is provided with a camming surface facilitating expansion of said sleeve during mounting thereof on said shell and a retaining surface facilitating insertion of said lug in said slot and cooperating with said sleeve to retain said sleeve on said shell.

3. The handle of claim 1 wherein said shell includes a pair of retaining lugs and said sleeve includes a pair of side apertures cooperating with said lugs to lock said sleeve on said shell.

4. The handle of claim 3 wherein said lugs are peripherally spaced by a distance substantially equal to the width of said slot and said side apertures are on opposite sides of said slot.

5. The handle of claim 1 including a ratchet control lever for controlling the ratchet mechanism, said elongated axial slot overlying said mechanism and forming a raceway for said lever, said lever extending through said slot for manual control of said mechanism.

6. The handle of claim 1 wherein said sleeve and said hand grip are plastic members and cooperatively encase said shell. 

1. In a handle for a rotary hand tool of the reversible ratchet type, the combination including a ratchet mechanism; an elongated generally cylindrical shell mounting said ratchet mechanism adjacent one end thereof and having an outwardly projecting retaining lug intermediate the ends thereof; a cylindrical sleeve mounted on said one end of said shell to enclose said mechanism and extending longitudinally along said shell beyond said retaining lug, said sleeve having an elongated axially extending slot and a side aperture adjacent said slot for receiving said lug and locking said sleeve on said shell; and a hand grip mounted by an interference fit on the end of said shell opposite said one end, said hand grip having a tubular extension forming a hoop circumscribing said sleeve and preventing expansion of said sleeve along said slot and removal of said lug from said aperture.
 2. The handle of claim 1 wherein said lug is provided with a camming surface facilitating expansion of said sleeve during mounting thereof on said shell and a retaining surface facilitating insertion of said lug in said slot and cooperating with said sleeve to retain said sleeve on said shell.
 3. The handle of claim 1 wherein said shell includes a pair of retaining lugs and said sleeve includes a pair of side apertures cooperating with said lugs to lock said sleeve on said shell.
 4. The handle of claim 3 wherein said lugs are peripherally spaced by a distance substantially equal to the width of said slot and said side apertures are on opposite sides of said slot.
 5. The handle of claim 1 including a ratchet control lever for controlling the ratchet mechanism, said elongated axial slot overlying said mechanism and forming a raceway for said lever, said lever extending through said slot for manual control of said mechanism.
 6. The handle of claim 1 wherein said sleeve and said hand grip are plastic members and cooperatively encase said shell. 